Why does the moon shine?

Answer 1

When we see the moon, what we call moon shine is due to the light of the sun shining on the moon's surface. We are just seeing a refletion of the light of the sun. Think about that the next time you stroll in the moon shine.

Answer 2

This is the albedo of the moon. It is the sunlight reflection on the lunar surface. The phases of the moon will always depend on the position of the moon revolving the earth relative to the location of the sun.

Astronomical albedo

The albedo of planets, satellites and asteroids can be used to infer much about their properties. The study of albedos, their dependence on wavelength, lighting angle ("phase angle"), and variation in time comprises a major part of the astronomical field of photometry. For small and far objects that cannot be resolved by telescopes, much of what we know comes from the study of their albedos. For example, the absolute albedo can indicate the surface ice content of outer solar system objects, the variation of albedo with phase angle gives information about regolith properties, while unusually high radar albedo is indicative of high metallic content in asteroids.


The overall albedo of the Moon is around 12%, but it is strongly directional and non-Lambertian, displaying also a strong opposition effect.[2] Such reflectance properties of moon regolith are different from those of any terrestrial terrains, but common on airless rocky solar system bodies.

Answer 3

The moon 'shines' because of sunlight being reflected off its surface.

Answer 4

Reflection of the sunlight.